We settled in at Exshaw. This hike is not that far from Edmonton... far, but not? As we pull in and park, these two gorgeous puppies are staring back. They look like they're over it all, but once out of the car they are excited to meet their golden retriever buddy!
After orienting ourselves to go up the scramble route, we were off and getting altitude! The clouds seem like they were going to be forgiving, maybe an inversion? Maybe not..
We make the clearing and are greeted with the sight of clouds hugging the ridge. Some cool looking trees along the way.
This guy is named Moose. He was hanging out and waiting for the other puppies and his humans.
Visibility was going to drop as shown by the hikers ahead of us. Into the unknown!
Into the unknown we went! Ahead out of the fog was a rock wall staring back at us. We hike along the side for a short while until we get to a scree gully. Not the my favourite kind of hiking. I definately prefer a solid ridgeline.
I swear to you that these next photos are from the same day. The conditions changed drastically as the fog thickened. Winter had not abandoned this place quite yet either. However, this was a solid ridgeline. My favourite. At times narrow, but mostly wide. Some sketchy areas where you had to walk on snow and hope that there was solid rock below your feet.
After some fun ridge walking, we made the summit! Not quite the inversion we were hoping for the clouds, but the weather did break for moments at a time. It was a strange sensation at the summit where it felt like the clouds were being strongly heated by the sun. Felt like being in an oven.
There was a small ledge taht offered an epic photo op. We took advantage as the clouds broke to reveal the ridgeline that reaches Mount Fable off in the distance. Clouds to thick to see Mount Fable... of course.
To descend, we contemplated taking the scree gully route down. This was still full of snow. Most of the group was uncertain. I pointed out that if there's any uncertainty we should just return the way we came down the ridge.
We made it back below the clouds. Going down the scree is much more enjoyable than going up!
Farther down the mountain, it seems as if the clouds were breaking. Grotto was in full view. I have yet to summit Grotto... it's on the list! The clouds made everything look much more dramatic.
Back to the parking lot!... BLUE SKY! Gap Peak would have given us a better view at this point, but it's okay! The adventure was full of joy.. and beer.. and peanut butter and jam sandwich.
